5th Judicial District Financial Compensation Study

RFP: Independent Financial & Compensation Study - 5th Judicial District Attorney's Office
1. Project Overview & Background
Following significant increases in recent budget requests, the four funding counties (Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake,
and Summit) and the Office of the District Attorney for the Fifth Judicial District ("the District") are seeking an
independent financial consultant ("Consultant") to conduct a comprehensive review of the District's operating
costs and compensation structure.
The goal of this engagement is to establish a sustainable, evidence-based baseline cost for operating the Fifth
Judicial District Attorney's Office through a cost-of-service study, a peer district benchmarking analysis, and an
attorney and investigator compensation review. The resulting analysis and recommendations will inform
budget planning discussions between the District and its funding counties.
2. Scope of Services & Key Deliverables
Task 1: Peer Judicial District Comparative Cost & Operational Analysis
The Consultant shall conduct a comprehensive benchmarking study comparing the Fifth Judicial District to
peer Western Slope mountain/rural-resort districts, specifically:
* 7th Judicial District (Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel Counties)
* 9th Judicial District (Garfield, Pitkin, Rio Blanco Counties)
* 14th Judicial District (Grand, Moffat, Routt Counties)
Specific tasks include (subject to available data):
* Analyze audited financial statements (2023-2025) and annual budgets (2026) across all four districts to
compare total operating expenditures, cost per resident, and cost per case filed/prosecuted.
* Evaluate Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratios - including Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim
Advocates, and Administrative/Support Staff - relative to caseloads and population served.
* Measure efficiency indicators such as case filings (felony, misdemeanor, traffic, juvenile), trial rates,
diversion program outcomes, and discovery processing volumes.
* Quantify the financial and labor impact of state-mandated requirements, specifically body-worn camera
footage review, discovery management software, and statutory compliance mandates.
* Review program costs and revenue-offset ratios for Victim Assistance (VALE/VOCA) and Adult/Juvenile
Diversion programs.
* Audit facility leases, IT systems, insurance, mandated litigation/trial costs, and administrative support
services.
Task 2: Attorney & Support Staff Compensation Study
To address attraction, retention, and competitive market positioning, the Consultant shall perform a localized
market pay study, including:
* Compare DA attorney and investigator salary schedules against comparable positions within Eagle,
Summit, Clear Creek, and Lake Counties, and against compensation schedules in the 7th, 9th, and 14th
Judicial Districts.
* Evaluate total compensation packages, including retirement contribution structures, health benefit costs,
remote work allowances, housing stipends, and retention incentives.
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RFP: Independent Financial & Compensation Study - 5th Judicial District Attorney's Office
* Review any policies related to required staff locations (e.g., remote work allowed, required in-district
living) along with other policies impacting operational costs.
Task 3: Three-Year Financial Forecast & Allocation Model
* Build a user-friendly financial model projecting revenues, expenditures, and personnel needs for FY 2027,
2028, and 2029 under various growth scenarios.
Final Deliverable
The Consultant shall deliver a detailed technical report outlining actionable recommendations for each of the
areas outlined above, along with the underlying financial model and supporting data/workpapers used in the
analysis.
3. Proposal Submission Requirements
Interested firms shall submit a proposal addressing the following, not to exceed 20 pages (excluding
resumes/appendices):
* Cover letter identifying the firm, primary contact, and confirmation of ability to meet the required
timeline.
* Firm qualifications and relevant experience, including at least three examples of comparable public-sector
cost-of-service or compensation studies (Colorado governmental experience preferred).
* Resumes/qualifications of key personnel who will be assigned to the engagement.
* Detailed methodology and work plan for Tasks 1-3, including data requests anticipated from the District
and counties.
* Proposed project timeline with milestones, demonstrating the ability to deliver a signed agreement by
September 25, 2026, and complete all work by November 1, 2026.
* Itemized cost proposal (fixed fee preferred), including any assumptions or exclusions.
* A minimum of three professional references from comparable engagements, preferably with governmental
or judicial district clients.
4. Anticipated Timeline
The District anticipates the following schedule. All dates are subject to change at the District's discretion.
Milestone Date
RFP Issued September 3, 2026
Deadline for Written Questions September 10, 2026, 5:00 PM MT
Answers to Questions Posted September 12, 2026
Proposals Due September 18, 2026, 5:00 PM MT
Finalist Interviews (if needed) September 19-21, 2026
Selection & Notification of Award September 22, 2026
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RFP: Independent Financial & Compensation Study - 5th Judicial District Attorney's Office
Milestone Date
Executed Agreement September 25, 2026
All Deliverables Completed November 1, 2026
5. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by a review committee representing the District and the four funding counties
based on the following weighted criteria:
Evaluation Criteria Weight
Firm qualifications, relevant experience & staff expertise (public-sector / governmental cost & 25%
compensation studies)
Proposed methodology & work plan 25%
Demonstrated experience with Colorado local government / judicial district or district attorney office 15%
engagements
Ability to meet the required timeline (executed agreement by 9/25/26; deliverables by 11/1/26) 15%
Cost proposal / value 15%
References 5%
6. Submission Instructions
Proposals must be submitted electronically (PDF format) no later than 5:00 PM MT on September 16, 2026, to:
Contact Wendi Rowles, Financial Administrator
Office Office of the District Attorney, Fifth Judicial District
Email WRowles@da5.us
Written questions regarding this RFP must be submitted via email to the contact above no later than September
10, 2026, at 5:00 PM MT. Answers will be consolidated and distributed to all known interested parties by
September 12, 2026.
7. General Conditions
* This RFP does not commit the District or funding counties to award a contract, pay any costs incurred in
the preparation of a proposal, or procure or contract for services.
* The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to negotiate with any qualified firm, and to
waive minor informalities or irregularities in proposals received.
* The selected firm will be required to enter into a written agreement with the District and/or funding
counties prior to commencement of work, with execution anticipated by September 25, 2026.
* All work products, data, and deliverables produced under this engagement shall become the property of
the District upon completion.
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RFP: Independent Financial & Compensation Study - 5th Judicial District Attorney's Office
* The selected firm may be required to comply with applicable Colorado open records requirements
(CORA) with respect to records generated under this engagement.
- End of Request for Proposal -
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